The government has submitted a proposal to make Modifications to O. Reg. 311/06 (Transitional Matters - Growth Plans) made under the Places to Grow Act, 2005 to implement the Proposed Amendment to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2017.
OSSGA has made the point to the government that the current policy framework is not working. Approvals for new mineral aggregate operations in Southern Ontario are taking up to 10 years to complete the process. There are too many overlapping policies and inconsistent approaches between the Provincial Plans, Regional Official Plans, Local Official Plans and Conservation Authority policies regarding the management of this essential non-renewable resource.

Please be advised that there have been changes made to Aggregate Specifications for OPSS 1002, April 2018.
This revised specification has been included in several MTO tender documents recently, most notably MTO Contract #2018-2024, Hwy 400 & Hwy 89 Interchange, Closing Feb. 14, 2019 and has raised concerns with many suppliers.

OSSGA is looking for a pit or quarry to serve as the host site for the 2019 Student Design Competition. Members must have a geo-referenced computer drawing of the final rehabilitation plan, PDF copies of your site plans, and be required to provide multiple tours for participating students. The program challenges Ontario university and college students to put their design skills to work by creating a rehabilitation design that maximizes the opportunities that the site will offer.

Axle Weight Pilot Project Now Running

NEW: AXLE WEIGHT Data collection has been extended for the 2018 season.

The pilot program outlined below resulted in more than 140 trucks participating and more than 300 data points collected. The program has been expanded to run to the end of 2018.

If you would like to become a part of the program, please contact ncheesman@ossga.com.

From July 2017:

OSSGA Needs Aggregate Producers to Help Recruit Truckers

The Axle Weight Pilot Project was launched on May 15th in cooperation with the Ministry of Transportation, the Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (OSSGA), The Ontario Aggregate Truckers Association (OATA) and the Ontario Road Builders Association (ORBA).

The objective of the pilot project is to develop a database that will help standardize the way allowable gross weights and axle weights are collected, stored and used for compliance. After some initial testing in week 1 of the pilot, it was determined that the most effective way to move forward is to carry out the measure up, issue new digital white sheets, and capture actual data from MTO scales on the pilot trucks – regardless of whether they are in or out of compliance. This data will quantify how vehicles are performing under real life conditions.

As you know, the ‘Axle Weight’ issue has been on-going for many years in Ontario. Here’s your chance to be part of the solution to solve this problem. For the pilot to be a success, we need a total of 225 trucks of various types and manufacturers to gather enough data.

We still need trucks. We had great participation in week 1 of the pilot – let’s keep the momentum going! We have included a flyer that we would like you to distribute to your vendors at the scale house. Or, even better, if you are able to call your vendors directly to encourage them to join the pilot, you can help ensure its success!

How the pilot program will work

We are looking for a total of 225 truck drivers to volunteer to enter a pilot that will track actual weights observed at MTO scales for the purposes of better understanding of how vehicles perform under real life conditions.

The trucks will be measured up and issued with a new ‘digital white sheet’ with the vehicle’s theoretical gross weight (same form as today, only digital).

Information will be entered into a new online database that shippers will use during the 2017 pilot period (ending December 31, 2017).

Trucks will be issued a numbered sticker that is easily recognizable at MTO scales and shipping locations.

Why should drivers, trucking company owners or fleet owners participate?

A major advantage to participating in the pilot is that you will be able to see all of your data – every time you, or one of your trucks crosses an MTO scale. This will enable you to better understand your equipment, and have the confidence to know your max load. And as we move from the information gathering stage to the policy development stage, your experience will help shape the future of the industry.

You will be helping to collect real data on axle weights so that the long-term solution works.

Be the first! Data collected will be used to determine potential policy or legislative changes.

We need 225 trucks – of various types and manufacturers to gather enough data for the pilot.

What do you need to do as a shipper during the pilot?

Help recruit 225 truckers

Use the database throughout the pilot period (to December 15, 2017) to check GVW and load appropriately

This is an exciting pilot project that will help define the transportation of aggregate in Ontario. Be a part of it!